Bioacoustics, the science dedicated to studying animal sounds, is a rapidly expanding scientific field offering excellent academic and professional career prospects. As bioacoustics finds applications in an increasingly wide range of disciplines, new subfields are constantly emerging (e.g., eco-acoustics, freshwater acoustics, welfare acoustics, biodiversity acoustic monitoring, etc.). This ongoing diversification creates a growing variety of academic and applied job profiles, backed by available positions all over the world and funding opportunities.

 

What is MoBiM1?

The Master 1 in Bioacoustics (MoBiM1) serves as a preparatory year for the prestigious International Master of Bioacoustics (MoBi M2).

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N.B.If you have the required qualifications, you can apply directly to the MoBi M2 program without going through the MoBi M1 (in this case, go directly to the MoBi M2 website).

The first semester of MoBiM1 mainly focuses on the basics of ecology and ethology, and statistics.

The second semester starts with the Bioacoustics Winter School (2 weeks, January), an intensive 80-hour course that will provide you with the fundamentals of bioacoustics.

This first part of the year is organized at the University of Saint-Étienne, in strong connection with the ENES Bioacoustics Research Lab. 

The second part of the year (February–April) takes place at the University of Toulon, at the prestigious International Center of Artificial Intelligence in Natural Acoustics (CIAN -see a video here on CIAN research on whales and orcas). During this second period, MoBiM1 students will learn bioacoustics data processing, Artificial Intelligence applied to bioacoustics, acoustic antenna for cetacean monitoring, etc.

The students will then do a 2-month internship (May-June), either in Toulon at CIAN, or any other laboratory of their choice.

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Please note that you will need to arrange accommodation in Saint-Etienne from September to mid-January, and then in Toulon from late January to June (or April, if you complete your internship outside of CIAN). In Toulon, rooms at preferential rates will be available at the CROUS, near the university where classes are held.

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MoBi M1 Program

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MoBiM1 is a highly demanding program. It requires being ready to study acoustic physics (and therefore to learn the necessary mathematics), statistics, and machine learning (and therefore programming in R and Python - Have a look on the MoBiM1 program here). 

 

MoBiM1 is open to French-speaking students holding a scientific Bachelor's degree ("licence") or more advanced degree (master, PhD).

Notice that the 1st semester of MoBiM1 is taught mainly in French. The 2nd semester is taught entirely in English.

(N.B. Non-French-speaking students can enter directly the MoBi M2, which is taught entirely in English).

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Before entering MoBiM1, it is strongly recommended to have solid foundations in signal physics and R & Python programming.

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Example of profiles sought:

• Biologists (bachelor’s or master’s degree) with additional skills in R & Python programming (machine learning, statistics) and/or acoustic physics.

• Acoustic physicists (bachelor’s, master’s or engineering degree level)

• Students graduating from a bachelor’s or master’s program in computer science, machine learning and Python programming.

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PROJECTED FEES for MoBiM1: 750 €​

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These fees include the Bioacoustics Winter School.

These fees do not include accomodation in Saint-Etienne and Toulon.

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Attention: Projected fees for the 2nd year of the master MOBI (M2) = 1500 €

(total cost for the two years = 2250 €).​

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How many students at the MoBiM1?

For the 2026-2027 session, only 8 students will be selected for entering the MoBiM1

(As the 1st semester is taught in French, ONLY FRENCH-SPEAKING STUDENTS will be accepted- If you're not speaking French, you can apply to enter directly the MoBi M2 which is taught entirely in English).

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Upon successful completion of the examinations, these 8 MoBiM1 students will be automatically admitted the following year to the renowned International Master of Bioacoustics (MoBi M2).

 

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The following year: MoBi M2
 

The International Master of Bioacoustics (MoBi M2) is a unique one-year international excellence program taught entirely in English. It welcomes French and international students from diverse academic backgrounds, including acoustics, ethology, ecology, biological conservation, evolution, neuroscience, computer science, and more.

MoBiM1 awards the University Diploma in Bioacoustics from the University Jean Monnet.
MoBi M2 awards both the French national Master's degree in Life Sciences (bioacoustics pathway) and the University Diploma in Advanced Bioacoustics from the University Jean Monnet.

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Please note that it is possible to enter directly into the second year of the MoBi Master's program without completing the MoBi M1. For information regarding the MoBi M2, click here.

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If you are not (yet) eligible...
If you are not eligible to MoBiM1 or MoBi M2, looking for a shorter training opportunity in Bioacoustics, or simply interested in a 'taster session" before joining the Master, you may consider the Bioacoustics Winter School, a highly popular University Diploma organised over two weeks each January by the ENES Bioacoustics Research team.